Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – With specific current responsive fault sensor
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-01
2003-06-24
Jackson, Stephen W. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
With specific current responsive fault sensor
C361S042000, C361S044000, C361S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06583975
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electrical control systems, and more specifically to an aircraft electrical control system which disconnects power to a load when a current imbalance is sensed.
In the electromechanical arts, current imbalances are serious problems that can lead to disastrous results, such as arcing within fuel pumps. Arcing within a fuel pump can lead to a breach of the fuel vessel. In aircraft, such a breach can be catastrophic. Thus, a device or methodology is needed that can suppress this type of arcing, as well as other associated problems. Presently, a common type of current protection device being utilized in aircraft is a thermal circuit breaker. However, arcing typically does not cause thermal circuit breakers to activate. There thus exists a need for an improved ground fault circuit interrupter device, particularly for aircraft. The present invention addresses these and other concerns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards a ground fault circuit interrupter particularly attractive for use in aircraft for interrupting a circuit having a line side and a load side. The ground fault circuit interrupter can be retrofit to existing aircraft, or can be utilized in newly constructed aircraft and new aircraft designs. The aircraft applicable ground fault circuit interrupter includes a power supply, a circuit to be monitored, a sensor, a logic controller, and a power controller. The power supply is configured to provide power to the sensor and logic controller. A second power supply may optionally be provided to power the power controller. The sensor is configured to sense a current imbalance in the line side of the circuit to be monitored. The logic controller is configured to process input from the sensor. In a presently preferred embodiment, the logic controller compares the sensor signal with a range of sensor signals representing acceptable operation and outputs a signal representing a circuit current imbalance when the sensor signal is outside the acceptable range of signals. The power controller is configured to receive input from the logic controller and remove power to the load side of the circuit when a current imbalance is sensed. In a presently preferred embodiment, the power removal from the load side of the circuit due to a sensed current imbalance is maintained until the power source is cycled.
The present invention also provides for a method for interrupting an electrical circuit for an electrical load, the electrical circuit having a line side and a load side with a ground fault. Briefly, the method comprises providing a supply of power, continually monitoring the circuit for a current imbalance, sensing a current imbalance in the line side of the circuit, processing input from a power supply and a sensor, receiving input from a logic controller, and interrupting the circuit when a current imbalance is sensed. In one presently preferred aspect, interrupting of the circuit when a current imbalance is sensed is maintained until the power source is cycled. Typically, the load being supplied by the current is a motor. In another preferred aspect, no additional signals, inputs, or sources of power are required. In one presently preferred use of the method, the load side of the circuit is connected to a fuel pump, and arcing is suppressed within the fuel pump.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3512045 (1970-05-01), Tipton et al.
patent: 3611038 (1971-10-01), Benham
patent: 3800121 (1974-03-01), Dean et al.
patent: 4034267 (1977-07-01), Wilson
patent: 4093977 (1978-06-01), Wilson
patent: 4115829 (1978-09-01), Howell
patent: 4173774 (1979-11-01), Hyvarinen et al.
patent: 4205358 (1980-05-01), Washington
patent: 4271444 (1981-06-01), Howell
patent: 4347540 (1982-08-01), Gary et al.
patent: 4685022 (1987-08-01), Nichols, III et al.
patent: 4688134 (1987-08-01), Freeman et al.
patent: 4783713 (1988-11-01), Chen
patent: 5019956 (1991-05-01), Nakayama et al.
patent: 5047890 (1991-09-01), Kessler
patent: 5241443 (1993-08-01), Efantis
patent: 5309311 (1994-05-01), Ballada
patent: 5334912 (1994-08-01), Counts
patent: 5361183 (1994-11-01), Wiese
patent: 5521787 (1996-05-01), Baker et al.
patent: 5552952 (1996-09-01), Kramer et al.
patent: 5745322 (1998-04-01), Duffy et al.
patent: 5835322 (1998-11-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5966280 (1999-10-01), Cerminara et al.
patent: 5969921 (1999-10-01), Wafer et al.
patent: 6002563 (1999-12-01), Esakoff et al.
patent: 6091591 (2000-07-01), Heinz et al.
patent: 6246332 (2001-06-01), Hubbard
patent: 6246556 (2001-06-01), Haun et al.
patent: 6249230 (2001-06-01), Baldwin et al.
patent: 6266219 (2001-07-01), Macbeth et al.
patent: 6278381 (2001-08-01), Bogert
patent: 6278596 (2001-08-01), Simpson
patent: 6320731 (2001-11-01), Eaves et al.
patent: 6327124 (2001-12-01), Fearing et al.
patent: 2001/0022713 (2001-09-01), Gimenez et al.
patent: 2001/0036048 (2001-11-01), Goto et al.
patent: 2001/0036049 (2001-11-01), DiSalvo et al.
patent: 3504034 (1986-08-01), None
patent: 0 905 849 (1999-03-01), None
patent: 2318002 (1998-04-01), None
International Search Report Dated Sep. 26, 2002.
Brochure—Eaton Aerospace—“Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter” Jan. 2001, 4 pages.
Leach International,“Smart” Contractors, Application Notes, No. 104, Jun., 2000.
Fulwider Patton Lee & Utecht LLP
Hydro-Aire, Inc.
Jackson Stephen W.
LandOfFree
Aircraft applicable ground fault circuit interrupter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Aircraft applicable ground fault circuit interrupter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Aircraft applicable ground fault circuit interrupter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3112190